After multiple rescheduled dates, the long-awaited annual powderpuff game finally kicked off this past Tuesday. Despite the small crowd, both the juniors and seniors came ready to compete, battling through freezing temperatures and weeks of anticipation. But it was the seniors who pulled out a hard-fought 20-14 overtime victory over the juniors.
First half:
The seniors opened the game with a short gain on a quick handoff, but the juniors quickly took control. Demi Dillingham (#14, 11) cut through the defense for a 20-yard rush, giving the juniors their first big play of the night. In the next play, Samiyah Taylor (#12, 11) took the handoff, dodging multiple flag pulls before finding open space down the right side for the first touchdown of the game. A successful two-point conversion gave the juniors an early 8-0 lead.
Although the seniors struggled at first, Chloe Groemling (#6, 12) made several crucial flag pulls to stop the juniors’ momentum. Offensively, the seniors began to make plays down the field with short passes and handoffs. Eventually Groemling broke free around the edge and crossed into the end zone for the seniors’ first touchdown, cutting the deficit to 6-8 by the end of the first quarter.
The juniors gained ground early in the second quarter after the seniors were given a penalty for having too many players on the field. Taking advantage of the mistake, Laila Hassan (#14, 11) made one of the biggest plays of the night: a 45-yard touchdown run that had the juniors’ sideline erupting in cheers. The conversion attempt was no good, but the juniors extended their lead by 14-6.
The seniors didn’t stay quiet for long. Jasmine Smith (#22, 12) took a pitch for a 20-yard gain, setting up another drive deep in the juniors’ territory. With less than a minute before halftime, the seniors powered through the defense to score another touchdown. A two-point conversion tied the game at 14-14 heading into halftime.
During halftime, both the junior and senior boy cheerleaders took the field for their annual powderpuff dance performances, choreographed by the members of the Manual Dazzlers. Despite freezing temperatures, both teams delivered energetic routines that got the crowd laughing, cheering and clapping along.
Second half:
The seniors opened the second half on offense with Lola Thompson (#7 ,12) picking up a first down on a strong run. The juniors’ defense, however, tightened up quickly. Adriana Lucey (#28, 11) made several key flag pulls, and Hayden Moore (#9,11) nearly intercepted a pass, shutting down the seniors’ drive.
The juniors gained a first down as Dillingham took the ball for a five-yard rush. On the next play, she pushed through the defense again for another short gain, earning the juniors yet another first down. However, their momentum stalled soon after, and the seniors regained possession. On the following drive, Groemling carried the ball for the seniors, sprinting down to the 35-yard line of the juniors’ territory before Payton Russell (#33 ,11) made a clutch flag pull to stop the play.
As the clock ticked down, both sides fought to break the tie. Sophie Habeeb (#10, 11) stopped a senior rush early in the fourth quarter with a quick flag pull, giving the juniors another shot at the end zone. Dillingham followed with a 40-yard run that was called back on a foul, and moments later Smith stopped another attempt by pulling the flag just short of the line of scrimmage.
The tension built when Moore intercepted a senior pass to give the juniors possession, but the seniors answered right back when Chloe Wagner (#21, 11) came up with a clutch interception of her own. With less than a minute remaining, the juniors made a final push. Dillingham came inches from scoring before her flag was pulled near the goal line as time expired. The clock ended in a 14-14 tie, sending the game into overtime.
The seniors won the coin toss and chose to receive. After a quick timeout to regroup, they executed a sharp handoff and found an opening on the left side, sprinting into the end zone for the winning touchdown.
Players from both sidelines rushed the field as the seniors celebrated their 20-14 overtime victory, wrapping up a long, cold night with a hard-earned win.
“I felt great, it was a rocky start in the beginning. I feel like our defense was kind of scattered because we haven’t practiced in a while, but everybody had the effort and overall, the seniors had the most adrenaline and that carried us into the win in overtime,” Groemling said.
Watch Manual RedEye’s video here.
